I'm not so sure about this. The top jobs don't come around very often for a manager. If you're Graham Potter and you reject that job, it could be years before another opportunity presents itself. In fact, if he has even one below par season at Brighton he is out of the running altogether, possibly indefinitely. Your lustre can wear off pretty quick as a PL manager.
Were the players we have ideal for Erik ten Hag? We lacked quality and character. You have to make it work as a manager at a top club, simple as that. Do enough to gain credibility in the job and build. It is unrealistic to think you're going to get handed a perfect job with ideal players on a platter as Graham Potter. Only Klopp and Pep can probably do that.